Augmented reality smart glasses are re-entering the spotlight in the extended reality industry. While the adoption of virtual reality headsets is accelerating at a faster rate, innovations in AR technology are revitalizing the smart glasses space. In fact, between 2023 and 2030, the market for smart glasses is expected to grow at a whopping CAGR of 27.1%.
In the last couple of years alone, we’ve seen everyone from major vendors like Apple and Meta to new innovators like XReal entering the AR market. If you’re planning on exploring immersive solutions for collaboration, training, product design, and more in 2024, now could be the perfect time to start assessing the benefits of AR tech.
Here are some reasons you should consider investing in augmented reality smart glasses for your team in 2024 (and beyond).
1. Use Augmented Reality Smart Glasses to Reduce Costs
One of the main reasons companies have been reluctant to invest in augmented reality smart glasses and XR solutions in recent years is the cost. Leveraging the latest XR tech can be expensive. Even Apple’s latest spatial computing solution costs almost $4,000.
AR smart glasses, however, are a much more affordable way to enter the metaverse and unlock the power of immersion. They’re also excellent for reducing various operational and business costs. For instance, field employees equipped with AR glasses can share real-time information with remote employees, access step-by-step guidance, and complete tasks without the need for subject matter experts to travel to a specific location.
By placing crucial information in front of an employee while they work, AR glasses can reduce the risk of mistakes and increase productivity, saving companies money on errors and extra labor. Additionally, AR solutions can help companies construct and visualize new product ideas without having to invest in physical materials. Some solutions can even help with troubleshooting machines and systems, reducing expensive downtime.
2. Optimize and Enhance Collaboration
While companies throughout the world are beginning to implement “return to work” mandates to drive employees back into the office, the flexible workforce is still growing. Even without remote and hybrid initiatives, many companies still need to find ways to bridge the gaps between global teams, consultants, contractors, and field workers.
Augmented reality smart glasses can be an excellent way to deliver “immersive collaboration” experiences to the entire workplace. With AR glasses, employees can share virtual versions of documents, blueprints, and information with their colleagues in real time wherever they are. They can also annotate documents and work together on projects in the digital world.
Advanced AR solutions can even include artificial intelligence tools, which can automatically translate content into different languages or transcribe speech. Some AR smart glasses vendors are even experimenting with spatial computing solutions, which help users to interact with both each other and essential software more organically.
3. Upgrade Innovation with Augmented Reality Smart Glasses
Today, companies in all industries need to constantly experiment and be innovative to stay one step ahead of the competition and market trends. Unfortunately, agile experimentation can be difficult to achieve in a traditional business environment. Not only are their costs associated with building new products and prototypes, but experimenting with business strategies can be time-consuming.
With augmented reality smart glasses, teams have more effective ways to innovate and create. Staff members can work together on digital twins of a new project or product, eliminating resource costs and exploring different avenues for growth.
Teams can work together on product development plans, experimenting with materials and proportions without having to worry about physical limitations. It’s even possible to present product ideas to shareholders in three dimensions without building a physical prototype.
4. Boost Productivity and Performance
One of the biggest benefits of all forms of extended reality in the business landscape is the ability to unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency. Augmented reality smart glasses can deliver a performance boost to employees in various environments. These lightweight and versatile solutions don’t require users to step into a different virtual world.
Instead, teams can wear their glasses around the office, on the factory floor, or in the field and gain immediate access to expert support and information. They can leverage remote assistance tools to help with engineering and technical maintenance tasks or scan through instruction manuals while keeping their hands free for work.
AR smart glasses can even make it easier to access essential information for tasks much faster. For instance, in the healthcare environment, doctors could use smart glasses to sort through patient information and scans while working on a diagnosis.
5. Transform the Customer Service Experience
Although extended reality and the metaverse have yet to become mainstream parts of the customer experience, interest in these opportunities is growing. Consumers are already using AR apps to assess products offered by retailers before making a purchase. They’re also using virtual reality experiences to learn how to use new products, and attend industry events.
Investing in augmented reality smart glasses gives companies a way to step into the new era of customer experience. Real estate agents can offer customers a pair of glasses to help them see what their new home will look like after it’s finished being built or decorated.
Automotive companies could use AR smart glasses to show customers the customization options they have when purchasing a car from a showroom. Businesses can even use AR glasses to “onboard” new customers, and teach them how to use new products and services.
6. Enhance Employee Training and Education
Finally, augmented reality smart glasses offer an excellent opportunity for companies to enhance employee development and training initiatives. Studies from companies like PWC have already shown immersive training leads to better knowledge retention and improved engagement.
With AR glasses, companies can immerse their customers in simulated training opportunities, complete with access to step-by-step guidance, instructions, and visual animations. They can help them to learn how to use complex tools, or carry out dangerous processes safely, without extra risk.
AR solutions can even lead to more collaborative training experiences, allowing business leaders and supervisors to deliver step-by-step guidance and visual feedback to new employees on the job.
Invest in the Benefits of Augmented Reality Smart Glasses
As companies continue to discover new ways to create lightweight, comfortable, and innovative augmented reality smart glasses, the market for these solutions is growing. Today, it’s not just modern consumers who can benefit from the latest AR wearable tech.
Companies from all industries are discovering new ways to boost productivity and unlock a competitive advantage with augmented reality. Now is the ideal time to consider investing in AR glasses for your workforce.
